Nestled in the heart of Utrecht, the Centraal Museum offers an enriching dive into Dutch art and history. As Utrecht’s oldest municipal museum, it boasts an impressive array of exhibits ranging from medieval artifacts to contemporary creations. Visitors can explore masterpieces by the Utrecht Caravaggisti, a group of artists inspired by Caravaggio’s dramatic style.
The museum also features a diverse collection of modern art and design, showcasing everything from historical fashion to cutting-edge designs. One of the highlights is the Dick Bruna House, designed by Gerrit Rietveld, which celebrates the beloved creator of the Miffy character. The museum’s blend of historical depth and modern flair makes it a must-visit for art enthusiasts and history buffs alike, providing a comprehensive glimpse into Utrecht’s vibrant cultural heritage.
Highlights
• Explore the Centraal Museum, Utrecht’s oldest municipal museum, showcasing Dutch art, history, and design.
• Discover Utrecht’s rich history through unique medieval artefacts and interactive exhibitions.
• Admire world-class paintings by the Utrecht Caravaggisti and contemporary Dutch artists.
• Wander through an impressive collection of fashion, from historical garments to avant-garde pieces.
• Experience the architectural beauty of the Rietveld-designed Dick Bruna House, dedicated to the creator of Miffy.
How To Reach
- By Car: Centraal Museum is 2 kilometres away from the city centre of Utrecht. To reach, you will have to travel for up to 5 minutes by taking the LF4 road.
- By Bus: Take a bus and get down at Centraal Museum station. From this station, the Centraal Museum is located 100 metres away and will take 3 minutes to reach.
- By Foot: If you are in the centre of the city, make sure you take the LF4 route to walk to the museum. The overall walking time is around 10 minutes and the museum is located 850 metres away from the city centre.
Best Time To Visit
Museum Speelklok is open throughout the year, so you can plan your visit to this place at any time of the year.
- The best days in the week will be the weekdays due to the smaller crowds, regardless of the time of the year.
- The best time of the day to visit the Museum Speelklok will be in the morning due to fewer crowds and a favourable temperature.
Other Essential Information
Visitor's Tips
- For better access to the Centraal Museum, make sure you ask for a copy of the guide at the entrance.
- Expo 2 and 3 and accessible by stairs only, so make sure you plan your visit accordingly.
- Mobility scooters are not allowed into the museum, but you can borrow a wheelchair at the entrance of the museum.
- Visitors can bring a companion for accessibility purposes and it is free of cost.
- Assistance dogs are allowed into the Centraal Museum, as long as they have a harness.
- There is a parking space for those with disabilities and it is located just next to the museum.
Explore the Permanent Exhibits
The permanent exhibits have been a crucial part of the museum since its inception. Some of the exhibits here include an ancient ship located in the heart of the Centraal Museum. There is also a set of sculptures located in a church located adjacent to the Centraal Museum. The permanent exhibits are located in Collection Centraal which is home to more than 400 artworks spread across different time periods.
Attend an Exhibition
While the museum is known for its permanent exhibits, the exhibitions are also worth attending. Here, you can find exhibitions of different themes that last for up to a couple of months. In fact many exhibitions are announced well in advance for the convenience of tourists coming from outside Utrecht. Some of these exhibitions are private collections and are known to interest a lot of art lovers.
Go to the Cafe in the Museum
Once you finish touring the Centraal Museum, you can head to the in-house cafe in the museum. This cafe has an outdoor setting and comes with a large patio and a private museum garden. The cafe is open from 10 am to 5 pm and serves food items like tea, coffee and even different types of alcohol and wines. While picking what to eat, make sure you ask for the ingredients to make sure you do not order anything that contains allergens.
Try out Shopping in the Museum Shop
The books in the museum shop are one of a kind because they are designed by local designers. You can go to this shop once you finish touring the museum. To visit this shop, you do not require a ticket and has two floors that you can visit. You can also buy the Museumkaart in this shop- a unique pass that gives you access to 400 museums across The Netherlands and use it immediately.
